Customer Reviews

Tigermouth

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Enough time has passed that it no longer means much to argue about whether Kelli Ali/Dayton should have been so wrongly fired from the Sneaker Pimps. She's now her own singer. But it is still useful to talk about Kelli's work on the Pimps' *Becoming X* album, because that was when the world learned that she is a very unique singer with a fabulously sensual and sexy voice. The dark, moody feel of the Pimps' trip-hop brought out the serious side in Kelli's voice and highlighted all of her strengths. However, that's not the case with much of this solo album.

Much of the material here is basic sunny techno-pop that hardly brings out all of Kelli's great singing abilities. Songs like "Inferno High Love," "Here Comes the Summer," and "Queen of the World" are built on insipid pop melodies that wouldn't even challenge Britney Spears, much less someone who can truly sing. That's a real problem on at least half of this album, and unfocused songwriting is the culprit.

When the music gets serious, especially in the second half of the album, that's when Kelli's abilities have room to roam. Some lowdown funk grooves pop up in "Teardrop Hittin' the Ground" and "Beautiful Boy," to bring out Kelli's sly side. The dark and sensuous Kelli is heard best in the hidden bonus track "Tigermouth." The guitar rocker "Infinite Stars" seems out of place but it allows Kelli to actually stretch out a bit, while the album's true winner in both the singing and songwriting departments is the dramatic "Kids." This album is an acceptable showcase for a great singer, but she needs better material to challenge her abilities and bring out all of her strengths. [~doomsdayer520~]

Being a Sneaker Pimps fan... (era Kelli Ali), I did expect her solo effort to be a little darker than Tigermouth. After the first listen I was a little put off, but after giving the new sound a chance, I realized that this is a really good cosmic POP record. The lyrics are very sunny and smooth, and at times at times schoolgirl-ish. The sound is lighter, and more layered than the sneaker pimps sound. Bottom line, If you lower your expectations, and pretend that the Sneaker Pimps never existed, this can be a fun summertime driving record. 4 stars is generous, but the album cover gets a star on its own!

Being a fan of the sneaker pimps first album "becoming X" mainly because of Kelli ali's beautiful voice, I felt obligated to check this album after hearing the amazing "kids" song. Well this record is quite different from "becoming X", for it has a much more upbeat sound to it. This can be viewed as a good thing; the album has wonderful melodies, beautiful lyrics, and Kelli's voice is just amazing. Inferno High Love is a very funky, catchy, song that will grap your attention right away. Theres the mysterious soothing "sunlight in the rain", the very alternatve rock "The infinite stars", and the very catchy pop tune "Teadrop hittin' the ground" which will force you to keep hitting the repeat button on your cd player. Kelli Ali is not Britney Spears, for she has much talent; she can sing, and write...not to mention the music itself is also very good. If you want some good music....check this album out. If you are a sneaker pimps "becoming X" fan, check this album out, you won't be dissapointed.

Kelli Ali is the former lead singer of the Sneaker Pimps. This is and impressive debut. It holds true to what she did in the Sneaker Pimps, but she comes to light(lyrically, sonically and ideally). As far as musical comparisons go, I would say this album is a mix of Kylie-imposible princess, All Saints, and the later Madonna=basically meaning a bit of a William Orbit sound.
It's perfect for the summertime. by the way she co-wrote and produced most of the album..

this album is great. the songs have a cool rock sound with some electronic sounds together with kellis very beautiful voice make a very awesome album. this is one of my favorites along with kellis other album Psychic Cat.

This was an unexpected ride. The album was very madonnaesque. It is a hopeful, upbeat, happy album. Despite its pop sound, it is a good, solid, creative, catchy, and sexy album. It is simply just good music. The hidden track Tigermouth an (awesome song) is almost like a preview of what her next album sounds like. This is a mix of pop,dance,electronic,and a bit of trip.

I have to honestly say I normally don't just go out and invest in expensive imports without knowing if it's tight! But I took a chance on this because she looked interesting on the cover. Also I know about her past with the "Sneaker Pimps" in which I thought was really foolish in my opinion for them to treat her like that and let her go over jealousy. So that compelled me even more to support her effort. I am not very fond of the male vocals on the past two efforts the "Sneaker Pimps" released. I think it killed the distinct sound they once had on Becoming X. But anyway on with the review shall we? I think this is a breath of fresh air as far as music is concerned. I have to agree with the other reviewer the tracks have a strong "Madonna & William Orbit" sound,especially the last two. Also it will remind you of No Doubts "Rock Steady" in some places as well mainly "Inferno High Love". I bought this cd on faith that it would be good, thanks to the other reviewer's review which was pretty accurate. I actually really wanted it after I heard the mp3 "Kids" on her website. "Kids" is a beautiful "Madonna" sounding rock tune and the chorus would remind you of the first song on Sarah Mcglalan's "Fumbling toward ecstacy lp." All of her songs have an interesting electronic beat mixed in with rock fusion. "I wouldn't consider this Trip Hop it is more like Trip Pop. It is too upbeat and happy and vibrant for Trip Hop. These are very summery sounding tracks like "Beautiful Stranger" by Madonna and "Swim". "Kelli Ali's" material also would put you in the mind of "Natalie Imbruglia's 1st effort before she got sloppy! I would have loved to hear this type of material on Natalie's 2nd lp. There was a plus to this lp as well! I had heard a song down here in Atlanta called "Sunlight in the Rain" and never knew who it was? I loved the song they played in Boutiques and Malls throughout the City. It is a mellow track produced by "Marius De Vries" (Madonna's latest collaborator) and is really catchy ! I guess that would be close to Trip Hop sounding on here. But for the most part 80% of this album is laid back beautiful soft rock sounding material. I don't feel that my $$$ was wasted on this effort. This is something different and it will grab your friends attention. Expecially the album cover which I feel is a big plus and the inside sleeve is even better. There is a hidden track called "Tigermouth" it is more Trip Hop sounding than anything else on this lp. Really and truthfully this is a solid effort no fast foward material you can let it go. But the weird thing is the better tracks are at the end ? I think "Kids" & "The infinite Stars" should have been in the 1st three. But I guess you give em the good stuff then go out with a Bang!

Arish

Without a doubt, Kelli Ali's vocals were the highlight of the Sneaker Pimps' debut album. Would she be able to duplicate that success as a solo artist? Well, yes and no. TIGERMOUTH, her solo, eschews the languorous trip-hop of her former bandmates for a more rock-based sound that doesn't keep the electronics far away. Thus, "Teardrop Hittin' the Ground" has a slight country-western twang to go with the stomping beat. The breaks of "Keep On Dreaming" work better in her favor -- a club-ready track that highlights her more angelic side, and "Angel of L.A." and "Here Comes the Summer" showcase a more sweet and poppy side that still keeps a rock attitude. The angular harmony of "Beautiful Boy" gives that track some strange appeal. Ali's lyrics strive a little too hard to distinguish themselves without actually succeeding, I think, but it's better than falling on clichés (which still occasionally happens). "Queen of the World" dips its toe in a romance with some acoustic guitar and a catchy little beat. As a whole, the album is certainly entertaining, but it hasn't found the balance: it's too pop to be indie or electronic, but not pop enough to hook the listener in totally.

Before buying this album, i read all the reviews. I loved Kelli on Becoming X, so I was put off when i found out this was a pop record. I bought it anywho and I like it. My fave songs are towards the end and Inferno High Love is addictive! Sunlight in the Rain, Beautiful Boy are awesome too.
May be cliched, but I love the way it sounds!

This album is filled with tracks that either make you want to dance or fall back into mellow relaxation. It's a perfect variety for the general music lover. "Inferno High Love" is probably the single most catchiest song that I can name right off the top of my head right now. That is one grand chorus. The thing I like about Kelli Ali is her voice. She can pull off the cute and sexy tone without sounding like some cheesy teen pop queen, which she thankfully isn't. The lyrical content for the most part is simple, but her vocals and melodies more than compensate for that, because they set the mood. However, if we were to focus on the lyrics, then "Wings in Motion" is the track to go with. That song is simply beautiful for not only the dreamy rhythm, but the delivery of her vocals. Overall though, I enjoyed all of the tracks. There really isn't anything bad on here. And, for her solo debut effort, it's a good introduction.